Princeton U Faculty Join Hunger Strikers, Begin Solidarity Fast
PRINCETON, NJ — Over a dozen faculty members began a fast on Friday in solidarity with the pro-Gaza students who have been on hunger strike for the past eight days. Eighteen students began their fast on May 3, in solidarity with Palestinians. On Friday morning, over a dozen faculty members joined the students, committing to a solidarity fast. The faculty members join their colleagues who have already fasted earlier this week, with others committing to fasting in the coming days. “Our daylong solidarity fast pales in comparison to the efforts of our students who are undertaking this strike to show their solidarity with the Palestinian people of Gaza and the West Bank, who are being subjected to a forced famine and genocidal assault by the State of Israel,” the faculty members said in a statement. The students have been on hunger strike to draw attention to their demands. They want to discuss divestment and academic and cultural boycott of Israel. They also want the University to drop all criminal and disciplinary action against participants of the sit-in and to reverse all campus bans and evictions of students. “We urge the University Administration to engage in good faith negotiations with student and faculty representatives and consider the urgent need to divest from Israel until such time as it ceases its genocidal war against the Palestinian people of Gaza and until Israel comes into compliance with international law and ends its occupation of the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem, and other Palestinian lands. We also urge the University Administration to grant complete amnesty to any students, faculty, staff, and community members facing disciplinary action for engaging in peaceful protests,” faculty members said. In their letter, the professors rued the state of academic freedom, saying many faculty members fear University retaliation for voicing their “deeply held moral beliefs and concern for their students’ well-being.” “It is important to underscore that the University’s current tactics of intimidation surrounding those involved in advocating for justice for Palestine have created an atmosphere of repression at Princeton University,” the educators said. “Not even all faculty involved in this fast, tenured and untenured, feel secure making their participation public for fear of retaliation. As good educators do, we wish to leave you with a question: what is the state of academic freedom and so-called ‘respectable debate’ when faculty fear University retaliation in voicing their deeply held moral beliefs and concern for their students’ well-being?” Speaking about the students on hunger strike, the University said they cared about their well-being and that the director od medical services at the University visited the group often to check on them. "Dr. Melissa Marks, director of medical services at University Health Services, has visited the group on multiple occasions including last weekend to offer health information and ongoing medical support," Jennifer Morrill, Director of Media Relations, said. "It is important to note that the hunger strikers have full access, as do all students, to the comprehensive health care provided through University Health Services. Dr. Marks is making regular visits to the students at Cannon Green, where they are also being checked on by volunteer physicians from the community. Dr. Marks is also in regular communication with those medical providers, who are fully aware of UHS services and refer students as needed."On Thursday, about 50 students from Princeton High School walked out of campus, to join the protestors at the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at Princeton University.Have a correction or news tip? Email [email protected] The article Princeton U Faculty Join Hunger Strikers, Begin Solidarity Fast appeared first on Princeton, NJ Patch.
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